What does a byte consist of?

A byte consists of a group of 8 bits. This foundational concept in computing is significant because the byte serves as a standard unit of data for measuring storage and memory in computers. Each bit represents a binary value of either 0 or 1, and when combined in groups of eight, they can represent a wide range of values, including characters, numbers, and other data types.

For instance, using 8 bits, a byte can represent 256 different values, ranging from 0 to 255 in decimal notation. This allows for the representation of standard English characters using encoding systems like ASCII, which uses one byte per character. Understanding what a byte comprises is crucial for grasping how information is stored and processed in digital systems.